A Louisville DUI Defense Attorney with a Record of Success

If you have been charged with a DUI in Kentucky, you may be hoping on some level it just goes away without too much trouble. Perhaps you are thinking that you will show up in court, tell the judge that it was all a misunderstanding and you meant no harm, and that you will be released without a criminal record, jail time or fines. For the thousands of people in Kentucky charged with DUIs, it can be tempting to think this way as most individuals have never had a problem with the law before and therefore have little to no familiarity with the criminal justice system.

The truth of the matter is that, if you have been charged with drunk driving, you are facing serious consequences that could negatively impact your freedom, finances, career and personal reputation. Hoping it will all go away without employing the services of an experienced DUI defense attorney is a recipe for disaster.

Louisville criminal defense attorney Ron Aslam has over a decade of experience in the Kentucky criminal justice system, working as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, and he has achieved a successful track record fighting for his clients to beat DUI charges on a regular basis. Ron knows how the system works from both sides, and he knows what it takes to ensure that the negative consequences are minimized as much as possible. He will fight for your rights in your DUI case to protect your freedom, reputation, and finances and get your life back to normal.

Penalties for a DUI in Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky imposes serious penalties for first-time DUI offenders (drivers who register a .08 BAC or higher), including:

License suspension of between 30 and 120 days

Jail time of between 2 and 30 days

Fines of between $200 and $500 (not including court costs)

Up to 30 days of community labor

Mandatory 90-day attendance of substance abuse treatment program

More serious penalties can be imposed if the prosecution proves any of the following aggravating circumstances:

Driving 30 MPH over the speed limit

Driving the wrong way on a road

Refusal to submit to a mandatory Breathalyzer test at the station

Transporting a passenger under 12 years of age

Having a BAC of .15 or higher

Multiple offenses within the same five-year period can result in vastly increased jail times, license suspensions, fines, and other penalties.

Kentucky’s Implied Consent Law

If you are arrested for DUI in Kentucky, you are required to take the chemical test administered at the police station. This could either be a breath, blood, or urine test, and it must be given within two hours of when you were last driving. Most often, you will be tested with a breathalyzer machine. When you apply for a driver’s license in Kentucky, you give your consent to take the chemical test if an officer has probable cause to arrest you for drunk driving. This is known as “implied consent”.

Refusal to take the required chemical test after a DUI arrest can result in harsh penalties:

First Offense: Driver’s license revocation for a period of 30 to 120 days

You are not able to obtain a hardship license after you complete the mandatory minimum license suspension period;

You cannot get your driving privileges reinstated until your case is resolved;

Your refusal could be used by prosecutors as evidence against you at trial;

If you are convicted for DUI after refusing to take the chemical test, your jail time is doubled.

It is important to note that the mandatory breathalyzer, blood, or urine test that is administered at the police station after a drunk driving arrest is not the same as the preliminary breath test (PBT) you may be asked to take before you are arrested. The PBT is NOT mandatory and there are no enhanced penalties for refusing to take it. The officer may imply that the PBT is mandatory, or that taking it will help you, but this is simply not the case.

In general, the only person who is helped by the results of a preliminary breath test is the presiding officer. The officer can use the results to establish probable cause to place you under arrest for drunk driving. Without these results, the case against you will likely be much weaker. For example, if it is found that the officer lacked probable cause for the arrest, any subsequent evidence (such as the mandatory chemical test) would be inadmissible. For this reason, there is usually no good reason to submit to a PBT, unless you know for sure that you will register a BAC of below .08.

Overcoming Your DUI Charge in Kentucky

Even if you may have failed the mandatory chemical (breathalyzer, blood, or urine) test, there are numerous legal strategies that your criminal defense attorney can pursue in arguing for a not guilty verdict or in negotiating reduced penalties. It is important to remember that prosecutors must prove all elements of a DUI charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and all evidence against you must have been legally obtained by the police.

Among other things, the police must have a legally valid reason (probable cause) to arrest you and administer the test. Furthermore, the accuracy of the test and other evidence can be questioned. Other potential DUI defense strategies may include:

The defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was under .08 at the time the defendant was driving, even though it was above .08 when the test was given at the police station. This argument can often be made if the last drink was consumed shortly before driving;

There were no signs of impairment and the defendant was driving with the care and caution of a sober person, therefore, the results of the chemical test cannot be trusted;

The defendant was not operating the vehicle and was not in physical control of it;

The defendant drove the vehicle to avoid harm and/or out of legal necessity.

DUI defense attorney Ron Aslam has years of experience making aggressive and winning arguments on behalf of his clients, and he has achieved numerous acquittals, dropped charges, and reduced sentences for individuals in Kentucky who have been charged with drunk driving. As a former prosecutor, Ron has built up a great reputation with Louisville judges, prosecutors, and police, and he puts his extensive experience and skills to work to fight for the best possible outcome in your DUI matter.

Contact Louisville Attorney Ron Aslam Today

Being arrested for drunk driving can be a frightening and unsettling experience. You may be uncertain about the future and not sure where to turn for help. With so much at stake, you need a lawyer who understands the complexities of the Kentucky DUI laws and the most effective defense strategies to mitigate the situation as much as possible.

If you are facing a DUI charge in the central Kentucky area, help is available to fight the charge. Call the Law Office of Ron Aslam today at 502.581.1676 to set up a free initial consultation.

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Read what our clients have to say about us

Ron Aslam knows his stuff. Ron diligently worked for me on a dui case. I was confident in Ron to smartly research my case, advise me of options, and litigate my case the way WE decided. Ron earns his fee.

Ron Aslam worked a Miracle on my case, hands down! I had been criminally cited on some pretty serious traffic violations that carries potential jail time and some serious fines. Mr.Aslam did what he does best!

My Husband and I are very pleased with all the services provided and results obtained by Ron. By nature, we all make mistakes occasionally to which Ron is more than compassionate and understanding of.

To cut to the chase, Ron saved my butt. He was professional, extremely clear about everything the whole way through and went above and beyond to truly provide counsel.

He patiently answered all of my questions and returned my messages promptly. Ron went above and beyond to fight for me and achieved the best possible outcome for my case. I would recommend his services without hesitation.